Construction toy

ABSTRACT

A construction toy is disclosed. The construction toy comprises at least one prismatic or cylindrical housing with a closed end and an open end, with two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open end and closed end. The construction toy may further comprise an ornamental component, stickers, a motion activated illumination arrangement resulting in numerous modes of play of the construction toy. Multiple housings of the construction toy act as building blocks. The construction toy acts as a means to collect, display and store numerous ornamental components. The construction toy can be customised with stickers which can be revealed and hidden using a motion activated illumination arrangement comprising an infrared sensor and UV light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/GB2020/052140, filed Sep. 7, 2020, titled “CONSTRUCTION TOY,” and claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1913447.7, filed Sep. 18, 2019, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a construction toy and in particular a stackable toy comprising building blocks. The construction toy may further comprise figurines or models of an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An example of a construction toy known in the art are building blocks taking the form of a rectangular cuboid with a male connection means on a first surface and a commensurate female connection means on an opposing second surface. Multiple building blocks can be stacked upon one another with the male and female connection means reversibly connecting the building blocks together. The building blocks typically have a single mode of play which is the act of combining the blocks. Due to this single mode of play a user may quickly lose interest in the building blocks. In addition, this single mode of play is limited in that there are only two surfaces of each building block which comprise a connection means. In other words, this limits the possible structures that can be constructed using the building blocks.

Other forms of toys known in the art are the numerous examples of figurines and models of objects. Such toys may take the form of characters from a popular film or a miniature replica of a classic car. These toys are typically small so can be easily lost and may readily fall over such that they cannot be displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a construction toy that obviates or at least mitigates one or more of the aforesaid disadvantages of the toys known in the art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a construction toy comprising at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing, the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing having a closed end, an opposing open end, and two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open end and closed end.

Most preferably, the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing may comprise a polygon or a conic section shaped base.

Most preferably, the external surface between the open end and closed end comprises one or more sections.

Most preferably, the two or more connection means are located on the one or more sections.

Preferably, each section of the one or more sections comprises two of the two or more connections means.

Preferably, each section of the one or more sections is a side of the housing.

Alternatively, each section of the one or more sections is a portion of a side of the housing.

Most preferably, the two or more connection means comprise a male part of a sliding dovetail joint and a female part of a sliding dovetail joint.

Most preferably, the male and female parts of the sliding dovetail joint extend linearly across the external surface between the open end and closed end.

Preferably, the male part of the sliding dovetail joint is commensurate, and or forms an interference fit, with the female part of the sliding dovetail joint.

Alternatively, the two or more connection means comprises: a groove and a slot joint; and or a pin and a socket connection; and or a hook and a loop fastener; and or a re-closable fastening; and or any suitable alternative; and or combination thereof.

Most preferably, the construction toy further comprises an ornamental component. The ornamental component is dimensioned to be located within an internal volume of the housing. The ornamental component may be located on an internal surface of the housing. The ornamental component may be located on an internal surface of a side of the housing.

Optionally, the housing could comprise an ornamental component connection means. The ornamental component connection means is an indentation in an internal surface of the housing. The ornamental component forms an interference fit with the indentation.

Alternatively, the ornamental component connection means may be a pin and a socket connection; and or a hook and a loop fastener; and or a re-closable fastening; and or any suitable alternative; and or combination thereof.

Most preferably, the ornamental component is a figurine and or a model of an object.

Preferably, the construction toy further comprises an interactive arrangement. The construction toy further comprises a motion activated illumination arrangement comprising a motion sensor and light. The motion sensor may comprise a capacitive sensor and or an infrared sensor. Preferably, the light comprises a non-visible light source e.g. a UV light. Most preferably, the light is activated and or deactivated in response to activation of the motion sensor e.g. detecting motion and or the absence of motion.

Preferably, the construction toy further comprises one or more stickers. The one or more stickers are sensitive to non-visible light. The one or more stickers are sensitive to UV light.

Optionally, the construction toy further comprises a microphone, a vibration sensor, any other input device or combination thereof. The construction toy further comprises a speaker, a visible light, an LED, a vibration module, any other output device or combination thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a construction toy comprising at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing, the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing having opposed open ends and a motion activated illumination arrangement.

Most preferably, the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing comprises two or more connection means located on an external surface between the opposed open ends.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the invention or vice versa.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for producing a construction toy comprising:

providing at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing having a closed end and an opposing open end, and providing two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open and closed end.

Most preferably, the method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing an ornamental component. The ornamental component is dimensioned to be located within an internal volume of the housing. The ornamental component may be located on an internal surface of the housing. The ornamental component may be located on an internal surface of a side of the housing.

Most preferably, the method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing an interactive arrangement. The method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing a motion activated illumination arrangement with a motion sensor and light.

Most preferably, the method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing one or more stickers. The one or more stickers are sensitive to non-visible and or UV light.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first and second aspects of the invention or vice versa.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for producing a construction toy comprising:

providing at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing having opposing open ends, and providing a motion activated illumination arrangement within the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing.

Most preferably, the method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open and closed end.

Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first, second and third aspects of the invention or vice versa.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts that can be assembled to form a toy, the kit of parts comprising one or more construction toys in accordance with the first and or second aspects of the present invention.

Most preferably, the kit of parts further comprises one or more ornamental components.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises one or more stickers.

Optionally, the kit of parts further comprises a microphone, a vibration sensor, any other input device or combination thereof. The kit of parts may further comprise a speaker, a visible light, an LED, a vibration module, any other output device or combination thereof.

Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention or vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a construction toy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of a toy comprising four interlocking construction toys of FIG. 1 in a first mode of play;

FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of a toy comprising the construction toy of FIG. 1 and an ornamental component in a second mode of play;

FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of the toy of FIG. 3 in a third and fourth mode of play.

In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An explanation of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 depicts a construction toy 1 comprising a housing 2. The housing 2 takes the form of a hollow right hexagonal prism with an open end and a closed end. More specifically, the housing 2 comprises a hexagonal base 3 opposing a substantially similarly dimensioned hexagonal opening 4. The housing 2 further comprises six substantially rectangular sides 5 connecting the hexagonal base 3 to the hexagonal opening 4.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the housing 2 could alternatively take the form of any other right or oblique, uniform or irregular, prism or cylinder. In other words, the housing 2 could have any polygon or conic section shaped base.

The hexagonal base 3 comprises an external surface 6 and an internal surface 7. Similarly, each rectangular side 5 comprises an external surface 8 and an internal surface 9.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the housing 2 further comprises a first connection means 10. The first connection means takes the form of sliding dovetail joints 10 located on the external surfaces 8 of the sides 5. More specifically, three of the external surfaces 8 a each comprise two male parts of a sliding dovetail joint or protrusions 11 and three of the external surfaces 8 b each comprise two female parts of a slide dovetail joint or depressions 12. The external surfaces 8 alternate between an external surface 8 a comprising two protrusions 11 and an external surface 8 b comprising two depressions 12 about the hexagonal circumference of the housing 2. In other words, an external surface 8 a comprising two protrusions 11 opposes an external surface 8 b comprising two depressions 12.

The protrusions 11 and depressions 12 have a truncated triangular cross-section 13 (i.e. dovetail shape) extending linearly across external surface 8 of the side components 5, from the hexagonal base 3 to the hexagonal opening 4. The protrusions 11 are commensurate with the depressions 12.

The sliding dovetail joints 10 provides a means to interconnect multiple pods 2. For example, FIG. 2 depicts four interconnected housings 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d. To connect a first housing 2 a to a second housing 2 b, an external surface 8 a comprising protrusions 10 of a first housing 2 a is aligned with an external surface 8 b comprising depressions 12 of a second housing 2 b such that the protrusions 11 can slide into the depression 12.

FIG. 2 shows one arrangement of four interconnected housings 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d yet there are numerous different ways of arranging the four housings 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d by aligning different external surfaces 8 of the housings 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d. Arranging and connecting multiple housings 2, in other words, building an arrangement of multiple housings 2, provides a first mode of play of the construction toy 1.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that instead of, or in addition to, the sliding dovetail joints, the connection means 10 could take the form of groove and slot joints, pin and socket connections, hook and loop fastener, any re-closable fastening, any suitable alternative and or combination thereof. Furthermore, it will also be appreciated that the first mode of play can be achieved without a first connection means 10 as the housings 2 could be placed upon one another.

The construction toy 1 further comprises an ornamental component 14 in the form of a figurine as can clearly be seen in FIG. 3. The figurine 14 is dimensioned such that it can be located within an internal volume 15 of the housing, more specifically, on an internal surface 7, 9 of a side component 5 or the base component 3 of the housing 2.

The figurine 14, as depicted in FIG. 3, is placed in location. As an alternative, the housing 2 could comprise a second connection means, in other words a figurine connection means, in the form of an indentation in an internal surface 9 of the side component 5 such that the figurine 14 is secured in position. The indentation being commensurate with the footprint of the figurine 14 such that the figurine 14 forms an interference fit with the indentation. The second connection means could also take the form of a pin and socket connection, a hook and loop fastener, any re-closable fastening, any suitable alternative and or combination thereof.

The construction toy 1 is a customisable means to collect, display and store one or more figurines 14, providing a second mode of play of the construction toy 1.

The construction toy 1 further comprises numerous stickers 16 which are, for example, sensitive to non-visible light such as UV light and an interactive arrangement 17, which takes the form of a motion-activated illumination arrangement. The motion activated illumination arrangement 17 comprises a motion sensor 18 and a light 19. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the motion sensor takes the form of an infrared sensor 18 and the light takes the form of a UV light 19. It will be appreciated that the motion sensor 18 could alternatively take the form of a capacitive sensor. Also, the light could take the form of any non-visible light source.

The infrared sensor 18 is located at the hexagonal opening 4, on a side 5 of the housing 2. The UV light 19 and stickers 16 are located on the internal surfaces 7, 9 of the housing 2.

When the UV light 19 is not illuminated, the stickers 16 are not visible. Conversely, when the UV light 19 is illuminated, the stickers 16 are visible. The UV light 19 is illuminated by the sensor 18 detecting movement of an object proximal to the sensor 18, such as a user's hand (not shown) swiping past the sensor 18. The UV light 19 may remain illuminated for a pre-set period of time or alternatively it can be deactivated when the sensor 18 again detects movement of an object proximal to the sensor 18.

The stickers 16 are a means of customising the housing 2, providing a third mode of play of the construction toy 1. Activating (and deactivating) the UV light 19 by means of the sensor 18, to reveal (and hide) to stickers 16 provides a fourth mode of play of the construction toy 1.

As a further additional or alternative feature, the construction toy 1 may comprise a microphone, a vibration sensor, any other input device or combination thereof. The construction toy 1 may also comprise a speaker, a visible light, an LED, a vibration module, any other output device or combination thereof. For example, when a microphone detects a sound, the microphone could also trigger a speaker to play a sound as well as illuminating the UV light.

As another additional or alternative feature, the housing 2 may comprise a means to distinguish between different variants of a figurine 14. More specifically, the housing 2 could detect different sized and or shaped footprints of the figurine 14 when located on an internal surface 7, 9 to distinguish, for example, between figurines 14 representing different characters of a story. Furthermore, the speaker output could be customised to correspond to, for example, the voice of each character.

As an alternative to, or in addition to, the figurine 14, the construction toy 1 may comprise a model of an object, such as a car, or any other type of ornamental component.

The construction toy 1 has numerous advantages as has numerous modes of play. A first mode of play of the construction toy 1 is arranging and interconnecting multiple housings 2, i.e. building a custom arrangement of housings 2. The interconnected housings 2 can be disassembled for easy storage and reassembled into a different arrangement, providing longevity in a user's interest in the construction toy 1. A second mode of play of the construction toy 1 is a customisable means to collect, display and store numerous figurines 14 such that they are not lost, nor fall over and can be easily appreciated. A third mode of play is customising the housing 2 and or figurine 14 with one or more stickers such that the construction toy 1, for example, is themed according a character depicted by the specific figurine 14 or even just to the user's preference. A fourth mode of play is motion activating and deactivating a UV light to illuminate and hide the stickers upon the construction toy 1. The third and fourth modes of play provide interactive features which can be changed and updated to increase the longevity in a user's interest in the construction toy 1.

A construction toy is disclosed. The construction toy comprises at least one prismatic or cylindrical housing with a closed end and an open end, with two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open end and closed end. The construction toy may further comprise an ornamental component, stickers, a motion activated illumination arrangement resulting in numerous modes of play of the construction toy. Multiple housings of the construction toy act as building blocks. The construction toy acts as a means to collect, display and store numerous ornamental components. The construction toy can be customised with stickers which can be revealed and hidden using a motion activated illumination arrangement comprising an infrared sensor and UV light.

Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms “comprise” or “include”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, “includes” or “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Furthermore, unless the context demands otherwise, the term “or” will be interpreted as being inclusive not exclusive.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A construction toy comprising at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing, the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing having: a closed end; an opposing open end; two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open end and closed end; an internal volume suitable for locating an ornamental component; and a motion activated illumination arrangement comprising a motion sensor and light, wherein the light is activated to illuminate the internal volume and/or deactivated in response to activation of the motion sensor.
 2. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing may comprise a polygon or a conic section shaped base.
 3. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external surface between the open end and closed end comprises one or more sections.
 4. A construction toy as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two or more connection means are located on the one or more sections.
 5. A construction toy as claimed in claim 3, wherein each section of the one or more sections comprises two of the two or more connections means.
 6. A construction toy as claimed in claim 3, wherein each section of the one or more sections is a side of the housing.
 7. A construction toy as claimed in claim 3, wherein each section of the one or more sections is a portion of a side of the housing.
 8. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two or more connection means comprise a male part of a sliding dovetail joint and a female part of a sliding dovetail joint, wherein the male and female parts of the sliding dovetail joint extend linearly across the external surface between the open end and closed end.
 9. A construction toy as claimed in claim 8, wherein the male part of the sliding dovetail joint is commensurate, and or forms an interference fit, with the female part of the sliding dovetail joint.
 10. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two or more connection means comprises: a groove and a slot joint; and or a pin and a socket connection; and or a hook and a loop fastener; and or a re-closable fastening; and or any suitable alternative; and or combination thereof.
 11. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the construction toy further comprises an ornamental component.
 12. A construction toy as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ornamental component is dimensioned to be located within an internal volume of the housing and the ornamental component may be located on an internal surface of a side of the housing.
 13. A construction toy as claimed in claim 11, wherein the housing further comprises an ornamental component connection means.
 14. A construction toy as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ornamental component connection means is an indentation in an internal surface of the housing and the ornamental component forms an interference fit with the indentation.
 15. A construction toy as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ornamental component connection means may be a pin and a socket connection; and or a hook and a loop fastener; and or a re-closable fastening; and or any suitable alternative; and or combination thereof.
 16. A construction toy as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ornamental component is a figurine and or a model of an object.
 17. (canceled)
 18. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises a capacitive sensor and or an infrared sensor and the light comprises a non-visible light source and or a UV light source.
 19. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the construction toy further comprises one or more stickers and the one or more stickers are sensitive to non-visible light and or UV light.
 20. A construction toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the construction toy further comprises a microphone, a vibration sensor, any other input device or combination thereof and the construction toy further comprises a speaker, a visible light, an LED, a vibration module, any other output device or combination thereof.
 21. A method for producing a construction toy comprising: providing at least one prismatic or cylindrical shaped housing having: a closed end; an opposing open end; providing two or more connection means located on an external surface between the open and closed end; an internal volume suitable for locating an ornamental component; and providing a motion activated illumination arrangement comprising a motion sensor and light, wherein the light is activated to illuminate the internal volume and or deactivated in response to activation of the motion sensor.
 22. A method for producing a construction toy as claimed in claim 21, wherein the method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing an ornamental component.
 23. (canceled)
 24. A method for producing a construction toy as claimed in claim 21, wherein the method for producing a construction toy further comprises providing one or more stickers.
 25. A kit of parts that can be assembled to form a toy, the kit of parts comprising one or more construction toys as claimed in claim
 1. 